The United States has stepped up its diplomatic effort to de-escalate Pakistan-India tensions over last week’s Kashmir killings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduled to talk to diplomats of the two nuclear powers and also asking his other international counterparts to reach out to the South Asian neighbors on the issue.
The State Department said Tuesday the U.S. with President Donald Trump’s leadership is taking action every day to address the crisis, sparked by an April 22 attack when gunmen massacred 26 Indian tourists Pahalgam tourist resort of the Indian-administered Kashmir.
President Trump also weighed in on the situation while noting close ties with both countries and expressing the hope that they would figure out a way.
“So we are reaching out – regarding the Kashmir situation, India and Pakistan – that he said we are reaching out to both parties and telling, of course, them to not escalate the situation,” Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at the daily briefing.
She told journalists that Secretary Rubio expects to speak with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.
“He is encouraging other national leaders, other foreign ministers, to also reach out to the countries on this issue.”
In response to a question, Bruce underlined the importance of Pakistan and India holding conversations.
“As I’ve noted, every day action is being taken, in this case the Secretary speaking directly to his counterparts in India and Pakistan, and we’ll – we expect certainly the impact he’s usually had with the individuals he’s spoken with and certainly with President Trump’s leadership, India and Pakistan having those conversations. It’s very important for them.”
The spokesperson told journalists that Washington is engaged with the two key South Asian countries at multiple levels, and intently following the developments.
“Obviously, we’re also monitoring the developments across the board in that region, and we – as you know, at multiple levels, I have to say – are in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan, not just at the foreign minister level, certainly, but at multiple levels.”
“We, of course, are encouraging all parties to work together for a responsible solution. The world is watching this,” she added.
The United States considers India a major partner in the region, where China has emerged as the second biggest economy of the world, and successive American administrations have fostered close ties with New Delhi on defense, economic and trade relations.
Washington has also had a strategic partnership with Pakistan, a major non-NATO ally during the first decade of the century. However, the bilateral relationship lost its momentum after the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Recently, President Trump praised Pakistan’s cooperation in getting hold of the ISIS terror suspect behind an attack on American troops a the the time of chaotic pullout from Afghanistan.
At the daily briefing, Tammy Bruce noted that while answering a question but said at the moment the U.S. is seized with having a meaningful impact on reducing the Pakistan-India tensions, which have spiraled up as New Delhi has alleged that militants responsible for Pahalgam attack were linked to Pakistan.
“I recall that we appreciated that arrest when it occurred, and I said so here at this podium. But at this point, I think what we should all be looking for is the results of the conversations the Secretary has today with the foreign ministers of both of those countries.”
Pakistan has denied the Indian allegations and says New Delhi has not provided any evidence to support its claim.
Immediately after the attack, India suspended Indus Water Treaty that administers sharing the water flowing from Kashmir rivers to agricultural lands in both countries.
Islamabad retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian flights. The two countries also expelled each other’s diplomats and cancelled visas of visitors.
Pakistani and Indian militaries have also traded fire across the Line of Control, the de factor border in the Himalayan Kashmir region. On Tuesday, Pakistan said it shot down a spying Indian drone on its side of the Kashmir.
The United Nations recognized Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory which both countries claim in entirety and control parts of. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the status of the region in 2019, triggering a military standoff between the two countries soon after when Pakistan shot down an India military plane.
